Forming device



Dec. 30, C Q N 2,433,808

v FORMING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 f lm EIIIBIHIIIIIF wmmlmunummmmnmnmlmrmv v INVENTOR. V GEORGE E. CApMA/v ATTORNEY D60. 30, 1947. CADMAN 2,433,808

' FORMING DEVICE Filed July 3, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE E. CqoMA/v ATZORNEV Dec. 30, 1947. 4 G. E. CADMAN 2,433,808

Y FORMING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1944 4 Sheets- Sheet s /0 47 ff )7 f6 I? IN V EN TOR. 650R GE E. CAD/VAN Dec. 30, 1947.

G. E. CADMAN 2,433,808

FORMING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1944 ff/ f4-/9 Z9 Z4- nvmvron 650/365 5. CAD/WAN 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 30, 1947 to- Douglas- Aircraft Company,

Monica, Calif.

Inc.-, Santa,

Application- Ju1y'3, 1944, Serial No. 54 3330 18: Claims:

1 This invention relates: to a; device. for formin pieces of material, and moreparticularly'to a device for forming metallic members-of various angular shapessuch as angles, T -angles;.and the like.

In forming or bending angles: or similar worlc pieces it is necessary to guidethe deformationv in'one plane and prevent any buckling'or bending in the plane or planes of the other portions of the workpieces. Devices for forming such angular pieces have been heretofore proposedbut the means used" to: prevent buckling havev limited these devices to specific operations on particular work pieces. In other words, the previously" used devices have been designed to accommodate at best a limited number of different work: pieces.

The device of the present invention obviates this difficulty of prior devices for it can accommodate work pieces not only differing greatly in thickness and overall size but in shape and contour as well. In the device herein discloseolthe work piece is held intermediate a pair of holding blocks aligned with a pair" oi'die blocks spaced apart to receive the'portion of the work piece to be formed. The holding blocks as well'as the die blocks are mounted for movement toward and" away from each other and the work piece canbesolidly held by moving the blocks together to clamp the work piece therebetween.

The blocks, although they will solidly grip the work piece, are merely supported on the device and can be removed for replacement by other blocks toaccommodate a wide range of" work pieces by merely lifting the same from the device As the blocks are normally spaced apart work pieces of the same shape but of' difierent thicknesses can be formed without replacement or substitution of the blocks.

The means for causing thev holding and die blocks to simultaneously grip the work piece com-- prises actuating blocks mounted on'cam' surfaces carried by'th-e bed of the device". Theactuating ing'operation. The actuating blocks return automatically to the inoperative: position when the ram is raised to causethe'holding and die blocksto move back from therwork piece to permit the same to be easily moved from the device.

Another feature of the device of the present invention. is the mannerin which the die blocks are" mounted. In the embodiment of the-invention now preferred the die blocks are'yieldably mounted and as means are provided for selectively controlling the yielding movement of the die blocks, various operations can be formed by merely varying the displacement'ofthe die blocks due to the force applied to the same by the punch., The punch is pivotally mountedon the ram of the press, so that the same can be adjusted to a position corresponding to the final position of the die blocks at the completion of a forming opera.- tion.

To secure an even greater range of forming operations, the punch is also adjustable longi'-- tudinally of the die blocks. Thus, by selectively controllin the possible displacement of the die blocks and adjusting the position of the punch with respect to the die blocks a relatively large number of different operations can be carried out with the device.

Another feature of the present invention re--- sides in the use of removable inserts on the punch" which can be replaced by inserts having work faces designed to accommodate work pieces of different contours or shapes.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accomp-anying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of, the device-of Figure 7 is a fragmentary View in section,

showing; the position of the die block andpunch at the completion. of. a. bending operation;

Figure 8 is asectional view showing the insert used to simultaneously form a pair. of angles formed from sheet stock;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing the insert used to form an open T-angle with a bulb; and

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the insert used to form a closed T-angle,

The device of the present invention, referring now to the drawing, comprises a base member including a base plate 10, a pair of upstanding end plates H and side members l2 fixed to the plate. The base plate I is to be mounted to the bed of the press having a ram comprising an adapter plate I3 carried by the piston rod Ht of the press. The adapter plate carries a head l5 formed with guide or bearing members I6 riding on guide rods l1 upstanding from pedal members l8 fixed to one of the side members l2. The rods I! through the guide members l6 hold the ram in the desired path of movement as the rod is reciprocated by some suitable power means not shown in the drawing.

The workpiece is held in the device herein disclosed between a pair of holding blocks 19 carrying removable work engaging inserts 2| on adjacent faces thereof. The holding blocks I!) are supported on inwardly directed flanges 22 carried by a, pair of actuating blocks 23 mounted on the base plate ID. The blocks l9 merely reston the flanges and can be removed from the device for substitution with other blocks to accommodate different sized and shaped Work pieces by merely lifting the same from their position between the actuating blocks. Each actuating block, referring particularly to Figure '7, is formed with an edge face adjacent the holder [9, which is substantially parallel to the path of movement of the ram of the press. The opposite edge face of each block 23 projects upwardly and outwardly and is to engage the in clined face 24 of the side members l2 extending between the end members H and fixed to the base plate ill at opposite sides thereof.

The actuating blocks 23 are normally held in a position in which their upper faces are substantially fiush with the corresponding faces of the side members I2 by springs 26 sleeving rods 21 fixed at one end to the base plate l9 and angularly projecting upwardly through passages 28 formed in the blocks 23. Each passage 28 is enlarged to accommodate the spring and the enlarged portion forms a shoulder against which the spring acts, the other end of the spring being mounted in a seat formed in the plate I!) adjacent the fixed end of the rod. It will be seen that the rod and spring assembly not only holds the blocks in a normal position, but also serves to hold the inclined faces of the same in contact with the inclined faces of the side members.

It will now be seen that the camming action brought about by movement of the actuating blocks 23 downwardly will cause the faces thereof ad acent the holding blocks L! to move inwardly toward the latter. The holders l9 may be of such a width that this inward movement will be directly transmitted thereto, but in the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, shims or spacing members 29 are placed between the holders l9 and the actuating block 23. The shims 29 are removably supported between the holders l9 and the actuating blocks 23 by the flanges 22 of the latter and in some operations may be replaced with shims of dif ferent thicknesses to accommodate working pieces of varying thicknesses and thus obviate replacing the holding blocks.

To hold the actuating blocks 23 against longitudinal movement, guide blocks 30 fixed to the side members [2 extend into open-ended slots formed in the blocks 23. The engagement be tween the edge faces of the blocks 36 and the walls of the slots prevents any longitudinal movement of the blocks 23 but yet permits the blocks to move toward each other as they are moved downwardly.

One of the actuating blocks carries at opposite ends thereof tongues 31 which are received in grooves 32 formed in the opposite edge faces of the other block. The tongue and groove connections between the two blocks prevents the same from moving downwardly relative to each other but yet permits the same to freely move toward or away from each other.

To prevent the actuating blocks 23 from turning in their vertical movement which might cause the tongues to bind in the grooves, each flange Z2 is rovided with an integral lug 33 formed with an inclined face 34 diverging downwardly relative to the inclined face of the lug of the other flange. The inclined faces of the lugs are held in engagement with the diverging walls of a groove formed in the base plate iii and thus hold the actuating blocks against turning or twisting during vertical movement.

To apply the force necessary to move the actuating block downward, a pressure plate 36 depending from the bottom plate 31 of a spring mounting assembly is fixed to the head !5 so as to overlie the adjusting block. The mounting assembly comprises a plurality of springs 38 compressed between the bottom plate 31 and the head Hi. The head is formed with a plurality of openings 39 for receiving the upper ends of the springs 38 and a series of openings M, only one of which is shown in Figure 5, having reduced portions forming annular shoulders intermediate the ends thereof. The openings 4! receive bolts 42 which are formed with reduced portions threaded into tapped openings formed in the bottom plate 31. It will be seen that the engagement between the heads of the bolts 42 and the annular shoulders within the openings M will limit the downward movement of the spring pressed bottom plate but as the heads of the bolts 42 will slide upwardly in the openings 4!, the pressure plate can be moved upwardly relative to the head I5.

It will thus be seen that the pressure plate will yieldably engage the top surfaces of the actuating blocks and that the pressure exerted will force the actuating blocks downwardly to brin about the desired inward movement of the holding blocks to cause the same to securely grip the work piece disposed intermediate the same. To permit relatively lon work pieces to be handled by the device disclosed, the end plates ll of the base member are slotted as clearly shown in Figure 2.

The die member of the device of the present invention comprises a pair of die blocks 44 having a width substantially that of the actuating blocks 23. Each die block is formed with a pair of spaced blind openings 45 receiving a supporting assembly comprising a tubular member 46 formed with an enlarged base 41 supported on the base plate ID. A coil spring 48 seating on the base 41 engages the enlarged head of a pin 49 sleeved by'the member 46 and urges the head of the pin 49 into engagement with the die block 44. The springs are such that the die blocks are normally held above the base plate I 0 but may be moved against the action of the springs die blocks as best seen in Figure 5, are formedv as complementary curved surfaces. This, as will be understood, permits the die blocks to be rocked or pivoted and yet be closely spaced from the holders.

It will be seen, referring again to Figure 4, that the actuating blocks will move or force the die blocks inwardly of the base plate as the pressure plate forces the actuating blocks downwardly. It will also be seen that the replaceable shims 29 are of such a length that they extend between the die blocks and the actuating blocks so that by replacing shims work pieces of different thick nesses can be accommodated without changing die blocks.

The die blocks, like the holders, are provided with removable inserts or face plates 5! to permit work pieces of different shapes to be formed in the device. Although any means desired may be used to removably mount the inserts or face plates 5| to the die and holding blocks, in the preferred form of the invention, the block are formed on the adjacent faces thereof with ledges or shoulders 52 carrying upstanding pins 53 for reception in openings formed in the bottom faces of the inserts 5|.

As the position of the die blocks can be changed relative to the holders, work pieces such as the T-shaped piece 54 shown mounted between the holders in Figure 4 can be formed or bent in accordance with the displacement of the die blocks. Accordingly, means are provided in the device herein disclosed, for controlling the displacement of the die blocks and in the preferred form of the present invention this means comprises a stop formed by a wedge-shaped lug 55 carried by a slide member 56 mounted on the base plate [0. The forward end of each die block is curved as best shown in Figure 5 and the engagement between the curved face of the die block and the stop 55 will determine or control the displacement of the die blocks.

To permit this displacement to be selectively controlled, the slide 55 is preferably mounted so that it can be moved longitudinally of the base plate H). In the illustrated embodiment the slide 56 is tapped to receive a threaded member 51 such as the cap screw passed through a retaining block 58 fixed to the bed plate It. The screw 51 is held against removal by a plate 59 formed with a passage to. permit the screw 57 to be adjusted. It should now be understood that rotation of the screw 51 will cause the slide 56 to move to the, left; or right as viewed in Figure 5, depending upon the direction of rotation of the screw, and thus vary the position of the stop 7 relative to the die block 44.

As engagement between the curved end faces.

seen that'should any movement of the slide 56;

to the right as viewed-in Figure 5 occur, the in;- clined face 61' will be forced even tighter into engagement with the clamping plate 64.

To obviate any interference between the stop. 55 and the tubular member 46 of the die block;

supportin means, the slide is formed with a pair of slots 65 to receive the member 46.

The die engaging tool of the device, referring now to Figure'5, comprises a punch 61 formed with a pair of oppositely extending lugs'68 pivotally received'in aligned openings formed in ears B9 fixedto the opposite edged faces of a slide H carried by the head Ill. The punch 61 is free tov pivot about the axes of the lugs 68, but to fix or limit the movement of the punch a threaded rod l2 extends downwardly through a slot 13 formed in the adapter plate and is passed through an internally threaded sleeve 14 rotatably mounted in the head. The lower end of the rod terminates in a finger 15 adapted to be engaged by the punch and thus limit movement of the same.

To adjust the position of the finger the sleeve 14 carries a gear 76 meshing with a gear 11 carried by a shaft 18 mounted in a bore formed in the slide II. The end of the shaft extending beyond the front face of the slide 'H carries a stop collar 19 and is formed so that it may be engaged by some suitable tool when it is desired to rotate the same. It will now be understood that rotation of the shaft 18 will, through the gear train IS-l1, rotate the sleeve 14 in which the rod is of the die block and to this end the slide H car-V ries a plate 8| forming out-turned flanges 82 on opposite sides thereof. The plate 8| is mounted in an enlarged portion of the slot formed in the head for receiving the slide I! and secures the latter to the head for sliding movement relative thereto. The slide H is formed with a threaded opening for receiving a threaded member such as the cap screw 83 passed through a bore formed in the front portion of the head and rotatably carried thereby. The screw is held against inward movement by the head thereof and it will be seen that rotation of the screw moves the slide II to the left or right as viewed in Figure 5 to correspondingly move the punch relative to the die block.

To prevent the screw from bein urged outwardly of the bore in the head a retaining plate 84 is fixed to th front edge face of the head and is formed with an opening large enough to pass an operating tool but small enough to prevent the head of the screw from passing therethrough.

As the displacement of the die blocks can be selectively adjusted, the device herein disclosed can be used for forming or bending angle stock. This operation is illustrated in the fragmentary 'view of Figure 7 wherein the stop has been adjustedso that the forward end of the die blocks are permitted the maximum displacement possible. In this use of the device the slide II will i be moved rearwardly and-the finger ,15 adjusted through the slot 63 in the slide clamps a plate 7 64, against theface. 6| of the slide, but it will be.

to the end that the punch will assume the position corresponding to the final position of the die blocks. J

The pressure'plate is so carried by the ram that the same will contact the actuatingblocks and move the same downwardly to bring about the inward movement of the holding and die blocks before the punch engages the work piece. Thus the work piece will be solidly held between the two sets of blocks prior to the forming operation which insures that all deformation will take place in the desired plane.

To further extend the adjustability of the device, the punch 61 is mounted off center so that the same will pivot or rock about the legs 68 when the punch engages the work piece. It will thus be seen that by merely reversing the punch the device can be used to form a joggle in which the joggled portion would extend upwardly from the portion of the work piece held between the holding blocks l9. In thi operation the pivotal movement of the punch, if not limited by the position of the die blocks, would continue until the upper flat surface of the punch engaged the lower surface of the slide H.

To simplify use of the device, the punch is provided with a removable insert 85 preferably mounted flush with the lower face of the punch. The insert 86 can be removed for replacement with similar inserts having different working faces to perform difierent work operations. Thus the insert shown in Figures 4. and may be used to form a joggle in the T-shaped work piece 5 t while the insert 8! shown in Figure 8 is used to simultaneously form a pair of angles 88 rolled from sheet stock.

I There is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 other inserts shown at 88' and 89 respectively in the two figures referred to for forming different work operations on different shaped pieces than that shown in Figure 8.. It should be noted that the die blocks 9! and 92 of Figures 9 and 10 are different from the die blocks shown in Figure 4, and it should be clear now that a large number of different work operations can be performed on difierent work pieces by merely changing the die blocks or the inserts carried by the same as well as the inserts carried by the punch.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, but is susceptible of changes in form and detail coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for forming a work piece coniprising: a support; a forming die; means for resiliently mounting said forming die on said support for movement normal to said support and for pivotal movement about an axis intermediate the ends of said die; means for selectively limiting movement of one edge portion of said die whereby the pivotal movement and the axis of the pivotal movement of the die can be controlled; means for holding a work piece with a portion thereof in operative relationship with the said forming die; a ram movable toward and away from said support; a punch; a slide mem ber; for pivotally mounting said punch to said member; and means for slidably mounting said member to said ram whereby movement of said ram toward said support moves said punch into engagement with the work piece in operative relationship with the forming die.

2. A machine for forming a work piece com prising; a support; a for ing die; means for yieldably mounting said forming die on said support; adjustable means for selectively limiting yieldable movement of one edge portion of said die whereby said die can be pivotally moved about a preselected axis intermediate the ends of said die; means for holding a work piece with a desired portion in engagement with said die; a ram movable toward and away from said support; a punch; means for pivotally mounting said punch on said ram; and adjustable means for selectively limiting the pivotal movement of said p'unch as it is moved by said ram into ongagement with said work piece to form the die engaged portion thereof in accordance with the relative positions of said punch and die, said punch following the pivotal movement of said die as the punch is moved into engagement with the die.

3. A machine for forming a work piece comprising: a support, a pair of blocks spaced apart on said support for reception of an end of the work piece; means for moving said blocks toward each other to clamp a work piece therebetween; a forming die; means for yieldably mounting said die on said support in alignment with said work piece receiving space intermediate said blocks; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of an edge portion of said die; a ram movable toward and away from said support; a punch member pivotally mounted on said ram and movable therewith into engagement with a portion of said work piece overlying said forming die to form said portion; and means carried by said ram and movable with said ram into engage ment with said block moving means to cause the same to move said blocks together to securely hold the work piece, said last named means engaging said block moving means before said ram moves said punch into engagement with said work piece.

4. A machine for forming a work piece comprising: a base; a pair of blocks; means for normally holding said blocks on said base spaced apart for reception of an end of the work piece, said blocks being movable toward and away from each other; a forming die; means for yieldably mounting said die on said base in alignment with said work piece receiving space intermediate said blocks; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of an edge portion of said die; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch pivotally mounted on said ram and movable therewith; means for limiting pivotal movement of said punch as it is moved into engage ment with a portion of said work piece overlying said forming die to onset said portion; and means carried by said base and engaged by means carried by said ram prior to movement of said punch.

into engagement with said work piece for moving said blocks together to securely hold the work piece during the forming operation.

5. A machine for forming a work piece comprising: a base having a pair of upwardly diverging walls thereon; a pair of holding blocks spaced apart for reception of an end of a work piece, said blocks being mounted on said base for movement toward and away from each other; an actuating block supporting each holding block and having an inclined wall engaging each inclined wall of said base and spacing a holding block from the inclined wall of said base; a forming die; means for yieldably supporting said die on said base in alignment with the work piece receiving space intermediate said holding blocks; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of an edge portion of said die; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch pivotally mounted on said ram and movable therewith into engagement with a portion of said work piece overlying said forming die, and means carried 9 by said ram for engaging said actuating blocks before said punch contacts said work piece and moving them downwardly whereby each block is cammed inwardly to force said holding blocks together and securely hold said work piece prior to forming operation.

6. A machine for forming a work piece com prising: a base having a pair of upwardly diverging walls thereon; a pair of hOlding blocks a pair of actuating blocks, each block being movably mounted on said base and. having an inclined wall engaging each inclined wall of said base; means on said actuating blocks for supporting said holding blocks in spaced apart relationship to form a work piece receiving space therebetween; a forming die; means for yieldably supporting said die on said base in alignment with the work piece receiving space intermediate said holding blocks; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of an edge portion of said die; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch pivotally mounted on said ram and movable therewith into engagement with a portion of said work piece overlying said forming die, means carried by said ram for engaging said actuating blocks before said punch contacts said work piece, and moving them downwardly whereby each block is 'cammed inwardly to force said holding blocks together and securely hold said work piece prior to forming operation; and means for holding said actuating blocks against relative movement as they are moved downwardly by said engaging means.

'7. A machine for forming a work piece comprising: a base having a pair of upwardly diverging walls thereon; a pair of holding blocks; means for mounting said blocks on said base for movement toward and away from each other; means for normally holding said blocks spaced apart for reception of an end of said work piece; an actuating block supported on said base and having an inclined wall engaging each inclined wall of said base and spacing a holding block from the inclined wall of said base; a forming die; means for yieldably supporting said die in alignment with the work piece receiving space intermediate said holding blocks; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of an edge portion of said die; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch pivotally mounted on said ram and movable therewith into ongagement with a portion of said work piece over-'- lying said forming die; and a yieldably mounted plate carried by said ram for engaging said actuating blocks and moving them downwardly prior to movement of said punch into engagement with said work piece whereby each actuating block is cammed inwardly to force said holding blocks together and securely hold work piece before the forming operation.

8. A machine for forming a piece of material comprising: a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of said work piece therebetween: a pair of die members; means for yieldably mounting said die members on said base in alignment with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving a portion of said work piece; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of aligned edge portions of said members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch pivotally mounted on said ram and movable therewith-into engagement with the end of said work piece mounted between said die members; means for simultaneously moving said holding and die members inwardly to solidly 10 grip said work piece; and means carried by said ram for actuatingsaid last named means before said punch contacts said work piece.

-9. A machine for forming a piece of angle material comprising: a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of one leg of said work piece therebetween; a pair of die members; means for yieldably mounting said die members on said base in alignment with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving said leg of a portion of said work piece; means for selectively limiting yielding movement of aligned edge portions of said members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch; and means for mounting said punch on said ram for movement therewith into engagement with the other leg of the portion of said work piece mounted between said die members to form said portion in accordance with displace-- ment-oi said die membersdue to the force applied thereto by said punch.

10. A machine for forming a piece of material comprising: a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of said work piece therebetween: a pair of die members; means for resiliently supporting the opposite ends of said die members on said base, said die members being supported in alignment with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving a portion of said work piece; means for controlling the movement of said die members due to external forces applied thereto; a movable ram; a punch; means slidably mounted on said ram; means for pivotally mounting said punch intermediate the ends thereof to said slidably mounted means whereby said punch is movable therewith into engagement with the portion of the work piece mounted bet-ween said die members to form said portion in accordance with the displacement of said die members due to the force applied thereto by said punch.

11. A machine for forming a piece of material comprising: a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of said work piece therebetween: a pair of die members aligned with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving a portion of said work piece; means for yiel'dably mounting said die members: means for selectively limiting yielding movement of aligned edge portions of said members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch pivotally mounted on said ram; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said plate to said ram in alignment with said holding members so that a work 'piece mounted between said holding members will be held therein by said plate when said ram is moved toward said base, said plate being so carried by said ram that it is moved into engagement with said holding members before said punch contacts said workpiece.

12. A machine for forming a piece of angle material comprising: a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of a leg of said work piece therebetween: a pair of die members aligned with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving'the leg of a portion of said work piece; means for resiliently supporting the opposite ends of said die members; means for controlling the movement of said die members due to external forces applied thereto; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch; means for pivotally mounting said punch intermediate the ends thereof to said ram for movement therewith; means for slidably adjusting said punch transverse of the axis of said pivotal mounting means whereby a selected portion of the work piece mounted between said die members can be formed in accordance with the displacement of said die members due to the force applied thereto by said punch.

13. Amachine for forming a piece of material comprising: a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of said work piece therebetween: a pair of die members supported on said base in alignment with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving a portion of said work piece; means for moving said holding and die members inwardly to grip the work piece therebetween; means for yieldably mounting said die members: means including a selectively movable stop member for selectively limiting yielding movement of aligned edge portions of said die members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a slide mounted on said ram; a punch pivotally mounted to said slide; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said plate to said ram, said plate movable into engagement with and actuating the means for moving said members so that a work piece mounted between said holding and die members will be securely held therebetween when said ram is moved toward said base, the punch carried by said ram thereafter moving into contact with said work piece and forming the work piece in accordance with the displacement of said die members.

14. A machine for forming a piece of material comprising: a base; a cam carried at each side of said base; an actuating block associated with each cam; a pair of holding members intermediate said actuating blocks spaced apart on said base for reception of said work piece therebetween: a pair of die members; means for yieldably mounting said die members in alignment with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving a portion of said work piece; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a punch: means for mounting said punch to said ram; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said plate to said ram with the working face thereof normally disposed below the plane of the working face of said punch, the working face of said plate being at least coextensive with the upper faces of said actuating blocks and in alignment therewith so that said plate engages the said actuating blocks to move the same relative to said cams when said ram is moved toward said base, whereupon said actuating blocks are cammed inwardly to move said holding and die members inwardly to cause the same to grip said work piece, the mounting means of said plate yielding so that the punch carried by said ram can be moved below the upper faces of said holding members to form said work piece in accordance with the displacement of said die members.

15. A machine for forming a piece of material comprisin a base; a pair of holding members spaced apart on said base for reception of said work piece therebetween; a pair of die members aligned with said holding members and spaced apart for receiving a portion of said work piece; a ram movable toward and away from said base: a punch; means for mounting said punch to said ram for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the path of movement of said ram; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said plate to said ram with the working face thereof normally disposed below the working face of the 12 punch, the working face of said plate being at least coextensive with the upper faces of said holding members and in alignment therewith so that said plate engages the upper faces of said holding members when said ram is moved toward said base; and means carried by said base adapted to move said holding and die members inwardly when engaged by said pressure plate to grip the work piece therebetween, the mounting means of said plate yielding so that the punch carried by said ram can be moved below the upper faces of said holding members after the work piece is securely held to deform said work piece in accordance with the displacement of said die members.

16. A machine for forming work pieces comprising a base; a wedge cam mounted to said base at opposite sides thereof; an actuating block having an inclined face engaging the inclined face of each cam; resilient means normally holding said actuating blocks above said base; a holding block supported on each actuating block, said holding blocks being spaced apart for reception of a work piece therebetween; a pair of die members; means for resiliently mounting said die members on said base in alignment with said holding block whereby the portion of said work piece to be formed extends between said die members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said pressure plate to said ram for movement therewith; a punch; means for pivotally mounting said punch to said ram with the working face thereof displaced from and disposed above the working face of said pressure plate so that the latter contacts said actuating blocks and moves them downwardly relative to said cams before said punch engages the work piece, movement of said actuating blocks relative to said cams resulting in said blocks being moved inwardly to cause said holding blocks and die members to clamp the work piece between the same before said punch moves into engagement therewith.

17. A machine for forming work pieces comprising: a base; a wedge cam mounted to said base at opposite sides thereof; an actuating block having an inclined face engaging the inclined face of each cam; resilient means normally holding said actuating blocks above said base; a flange carried by each block and projecting toward the other; a holding block supported on each flange, said holding blocks being spaced apart for reception of a work piece therebetween; a lug carried by the free end of each flange and having an inclined face engaging an inclined wall of a groove formed in said base; a pair of die members; means for resiliently mounting said die members on said base in alignment with said holding blocks whereby the portion of said work piece to be formed extends between said die members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said pressure plate to said ram for movement therewith; a punch; means for pivotally mounting said punch to said ram with the working face thereof displaced from and disposed above the working face of said pressure plate so that the latter contacts said actuating blocks and moves them downwardly relative to said cams before said punch engages the work piece, movement of said actuating blocks and the lugs of the flanges carried thereby relative to said cams and the walls of said groove resulting in said blocks being moved inwardly to cause said holding blocks 13 and die members to clamp the work piece between the same.

18. A machine for forming work pieces comprising: a base; a wedge cam mounted to said base at opposite sides thereof; an actuating block having an inclined face engaging the inclined face of each cam; resilient means normally holding said actuating blocks above said base; a flange carried by each block and projecting toward the other; a tongue carried by one flange and slidably received in a groove formed in the other; a holding block supported on each flange, said holding blocks being spaced apart for reception of a. work piece therebetween; a pair of die members; means for resiliently mounting said die members on said base in alignment with said holding block whereby the portion of said work piece to be formed extends between said die members; a ram movable toward and away from said base; a pressure plate; means for yieldably mounting said pressure plate to said ram for movement therewith; a punch; means for pivotally mounting said punch to said ram with the working face thereof displaced from and disposed above the working face of said pressure 14 plate so that the latter contacts said actuating blocks and moves them downwardly relative to said cams before said punch engages the work piece, movement of said actuating blocks relative to said cams resulting in said blocks being moved inwardly to cause said holding blocks and die members to clamp the work piece between the same.

GEORGE E. CADMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,332,435 Bucklein Oct. 19, 1943 2,034,316 Suhi Mar. 1'7, 1936 2,216,694 Morgan Oct. 1, 1940 1,965,716 Thoms et a1 July 10, 1934 2,141,736 Castle et a1 Dec. 27, 1938 2,339,032 Schlenzig Jan. 11, 1944 2,350,046 Kelleher May 30, 1944 2,357,204 Joyner Aug. 29, 1944 v 

